Creatures Great & Small

They allowed my poor dog to loose 1−½ pounds and have severe diarrhea for a week. When we picked him up he had vomit on his mouth when I questioned it she said oh he just ate it’s food, we mix wet and dry so my daughter picked him up, as I paid. Then when we were walking out the older women who works there was walking in said he’s had explosive diarrhea all week so I kept changing his food and gave him hamburger. As we got into car my daughter was very worried and when I looked at him I could tell he was not ok so rushed him to the vet, bloody stools severe dehydration and vomiting .lab values awful. they never once called me never called vet!!! do not use them

Yep, Creatures Great and Small smells like dogs. Happy dogs. I’ve been going there with my beloved furry children for 12 years, and I wouldn’t ever take them anywhere else. They race in, tails wagging, and are relaxed and happy when I come back, no matter how long I’ve been away. I use Creatures for day care when I’m away for a day, and for trips as long as 2 weeks. Louise and Katie are dog whisperers, and every single one of my pets in the last decade plus has loved them and their business.

We have been using Creatures Great and Small for two years for every trip that we go on for our two dogs — one large and one small. It is a small, family-​run (mother and daughter) business where you will be working directly with the owner on each visit. They are absolutely great with our dogs, are fairly priced, and overall just go the extra mile to ensure that your dog will be very well cared for.
Although their facilities are not the newest, they make up for it in one-​on-​one time with your dogs. If you want a fancy brand-​new facility run by college student labor, then this is not your place. If you want a place that is run by dog-​loving breeders, then this is it. Also, they will not up-​charge you for things like having a bed for your dog, taking them outside and playing with them, and other should-​be necessities like most other dog kennels in the Charlottesville area. With them, it’s a flat rate — period.
Overall, I’d highly recommend them. I use them frequently — at least once a month as I travel quite a bit — and have pointed many of my friends and family to them. You won’t be disappointed with their level of care for your animal!

Maybe it’s not as fancy up front, but they love animals and take impeccable care of them. Yes, it smells a little like dogs. Probably because of the dogs. So much better than other options in town, IMO.

While Eric. L is correct — the kennel smells like dog — my dogs LOVED it! And since they were the ones staying there and not me, that’s what counted for me. My Irish Setter and retired racing Greyhounds would wag their tails like mad whenever we pulled up to this kennel. And they didn’t do this for other places where they have stayed. Just at Creatures. I could count on the owners to take my dogs on short notice (and I had a number of family emergencies where this was incredibly helpful), and they would spot things going on with the dogs such as skin or tooth problems that I hadn’t noticed. When my Setter was dying with bone cancer and I had to board him, they gave him the most loving and compassionate care and they would call me at home to offer support and suggestions for keeping him comfortable. When I had to put him down they grieved with me. The kennel has recently gone through renovation and looks spiffier than it used to — but if looks and odor matter, I suggest going somewhere else. If working with dog experts who develop a relationship with your dogs matter, then I can’t think of a better place.

Booked this place for a weekend stay for our two labrador retrievers after getting one of those ½ price deals from The Hook deal saver. The stench of the place was an immediate turn off when you walk in the front door… looks run down and old… they have no computers, no web site, didn’t even ask me about our dogs being up to date on shots. The good news is that I doubt my dogs were bothered by the smell– though we had to give both a bath when they got home. We’ve always used Pampered Pets– I’ll go back to them. Saving a few $$ wasn’t worth it.